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Tinea Versicolor and Tinea Capitis

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Dermatoanthropology of Ethnic Skin and Hair

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Abstract

Some infections have unique clinical features and considerations in skin of color. Tinea capitis and tinea versicolor (TV) are two widespread fungal infections across the globe. Tinea capitis is extremely common in Black and Hispanic populations and has been described as endemic in some large metropolitan areas. TV is associated with marked dyschromia that is far more noticeable among darker skinned patients. The dyschromia can be long standing. In addition, the presentation can be unique; facial involvement of TV has been reported as more common in skin of color. Tinea nigra is important to identify in persons of color because it can resemble acral nevi and melanoma. This chapter outlines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, workup, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and treatment options for these conditions with a focus on unique features in skin of color.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair St. Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Stavonnie Patterson & Lisa Akintilo

Authors
  1. Stavonnie Patterson
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  2. Lisa Akintilo
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Correspondence to Stavonnie Patterson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Center for Ethnic Skin, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Neelam A. Vashi

  2. University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Patterson, S., Akintilo, L. (2017). Tinea Versicolor and Tinea Capitis. In: Vashi, N., Maibach, H. (eds) Dermatoanthropology of Ethnic Skin and Hair. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53961-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53961-4_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-53961-4

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